The heart of service: inside CVHS Red Cross

Among the many student-led organizations on campus, and among one of the most popular, is the American Red Cross club. Founded at CVHS in the early 2010s and meeting on Thursdays at lunch, this chapter of the national humanitarian network has grown into the very cornerstone of service, compassion, and dedication. Over the years, it has created a lasting impact, not only within our school community, but also in the lives of people far beyond its walls.

What makes Red Cross stand out when compared to other clubs on campus is its undeniable consistency. Year after year, students return to help with recurring volunteering service projects, knowing their contributions build traditions of care. 

From the annual Fall Festival to numerous marathons, the club has established a rhythm of giving that has become an integral part of student life, one that is abundantly clear when attending a club meeting on a Thursday and finding the room packed every time. 

However, the club isn’t just about repeating what has worked before. One of its most special opportunities in the future is the chance for members to become CPR certified, according to president Henry Yu. This program empowers students with a life-saving skill that transcends the classroom. 

“Recently, we have done Chuesok and the Fall Festival,” said Yu, “and coming up, we will be volunteering at Shriek-O-Rama and many other elementary schools.” 

Many students have walked away from their time at Red Cross events with a deeper sense of responsibility, knowing they’re equipped to act in emergencies. These events are a tangible reminder that the Red Cross club doesn’t just raise awareness—it prepares young people to save lives and make a difference in their communities.

Fundraising is also a vital part of the club’s mission. Each year, members dedicate themselves to raising money to donate to local hospitals, ensuring that healthcare resources are more accessible to the people in our community. Lately, the club has also expressed a strong desire to direct donations towards St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, an institution at the forefront of pediatric cancer treatment and research. This focus on children and families reflects the heart of the club’s values: compassion, hope, and action.

No club would be complete without its own sense of personality. For the Red Cross club, that comes in the form of their unofficial official mascot: Snoopy. The beloved cartoon beagle, often seen donning a Red Cross armband in classic illustrations, perfectly captures the club’s spirit—friendly, approachable, and quietly heroic. Snoopy is more than just a mascot; he’s a reminder that service can be welcoming to everyone. 

At its core, the Red Cross club is not only about service but also about community. It gives students a chance to connect with each other over a shared purpose and to find meaning in acts of kindness, big or small. Since its founding in 2014, the club has never stopped embodying the values of compassion and action that the American Red Cross is known for. With every passing year, it proves that even in high school, students can make a difference that affects people in every community.